Autumn 2017

Some say the Great War was due to German aggression; others that Britain, France and Russia contributed significantly to the conflict by curtailing the Kaiser’s quest to be their equal. Asking could it have been averted, this talk will examine some of the key reasons for each country’s culpability in one of the most debated and emotive of subjects.

Transformed from what Churchill described as a ‘disastrous defeat’ into a ‘miracle of deliverance’, Dunkirk holds a semi-sacred place in Britain’s collective conscience and DNA. However, given claims Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’ lacks the usual heroic pathos and represents every defeated army, this talk asks what the ‘Dunkirk spirit’ means today.

To some ‘post truth’ means freedom from the tyranny of rationality and experts. To others it is another word for ‘lies’. Develop and practice philosophical skills to understand truth and post truth better and to evaluate claims that we now live in a ‘post truth age’. We will cover: 1. what we mean by ‘true’ in everyday language; 2. Definitions of ‘post truth’; 3. Different philosophical ways of understanding truth; 4. How the proponents of post truth and ‘fake news’ understand truth; 5. How to analyse arguments philosophically; 6. whether rationality is the opposite of emotion; 7. The relationship between argument and rhetoric; 8. how to apply the techniques of philosophical analysis to ‘post truth’ claims.

Whatever subject you are interested in painting, this class will help you to focus on developing your watercolour skills. You will be taught the principles of painting in watercolour and encouraged to develop them at your own pace and in your own style.

This form of exercise combines body movements and mental stimulation. The gentle movements energise the body without putting undue strain on joints and muscles. Practised regularly these exercises will help to relieve stress and tension, help body balance and increase a general sense of well being.

Through study of the novels Silas Marner by George Eliot, (written in 1861) and Harvest by Jim Crace, Eyrie by Tim Winton and Golden Hill by Francis Spufford (all modern authors) we will study and evaluate authors’ explorations of men’s lives in very different times and countries : England in the 18th century and in the middle ages, 21st century Australia, and 18th century America. Men are shown trying to lead meaningful lives even when the world seems to be against them, with unpredictable, sometimes hilarious consequences.

What are my rights as a woman living in the UK today? What is the history of those rights and how do I make sure that I am exercising my rights? In this course we will discuss the story of how women came to acquire rights over their bodies, minds and labour through their own struggle and perseverance over generations.

Beyond the rituals and the theatre of Westminster, you will acquire a working knowledge of how Parliament works in relation to government and how people can have an influence on what happens. We will explore our unwritten constitution concentrating on the House of Commons, examine the many roles of an MP, have a quick look at the House of Lords, discover how to influence decisions, understand the passage of a Parliamentary bill and the various stages of statute law-making, assess the party system including a look at the numbers game, discuss the role of the whips, plus an optional visit to Westminster.

To gain some knowledge and understanding of this fascinating subject, each session will cover a particular issue or topic from the wide and exciting remit of psychology. We will discuss the relevance of psychology to everyday life – helping us to understand ourselves and others better.

Taught by a published writer, this course enables you to make the most of your creative writing skills and techniques. Via exercises in poetry and prose, you will be encouraged to ‘have a go’ at new ideas. The concept we will explore is that the more new things a writer tries, the better their work becomes. We will also embark on exercises that help with editing and polishing skills. Advice on where to send work out to, should writers wish to do so, will also be available.

This is a chance to meet with other players and make music together in a friendly ensemble environment, improving your technique, musicianship, sight reading and understanding of music theory in the process. Sessions operate as band rehearsals, tackling accessible arrangements of a diverse musical repertoire for players of elementary to intermediate standard who have the ability to read standard music notation. Students supply their own instrument and music stand. All instruments welcome.

We will examine and experience a wide range of mindfulness and meditation themes and consider which might be relevant and useful to you personally. You will be able to experience relaxing your mind with guided meditation, as well as developing the ability to focus on what is happening within and around us, and we will explore simple ways of including mindfulness in everyday life.

Untangle the thorny path of the battles between the Houses of York and Lancaster. Meet Richard of York who gave battle in vain, his sons Edward IV, George drowned in a vat of wine and Richard III as well as the saintly Henry VI. Follow Margaret of Anjou and Margaret Beaufort in their quest for power. Encounter the men, women, turncoats and victims of a family war and begin to investigate the growing importance of legal process, parliament and propaganda in the Plantagenet and Tudor quest to rule the kingdom.

Each week we will study in depth two works of art. The works will be by different artists who may have been contemporaries, possibly rivals, or simply members of a movement. Alternatively they may be separated by hundreds of years. The works themselves may be famous or obscure. They may share common themes or subject matter, compositional approaches, or some external link. You will have no prior knowledge of the works and will therefore explore the possible connections between the two works and their creators from scratch. You will have access to primary sources, other works by the artists, and critical analysis to help you discuss and formulate ideas. This study in microcosm will enable you to find out about the art world these artists worked in and how their work fits into the broader trend of art history.